Car-coupling



(No Modl.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. J. O. DONA HUE. GAR COUPLING.

No. 562,810. Patented June 30, 1896-.

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J. O. DONAHUE. GAR COUPLING.

No. 562,810. Patented June 30, 1896.

I Lq/TNESSEZM V U INVENTUR I g I 612071422558,

UNITED STATES I PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN C. DONAHUE, OF \VARREN, PENNSYLVANIA.

CAR-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 562,810, dated June 30,1896.

Application filed November 21, 1895. enial No 569,638. 'No mortal.)

To CLZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN C. DONAHUE, a citizen of the United States, anda resident of \Varren, in the county of Warren and State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inCar-Couplers, of which the following is a specification, reference beinghad to the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof, in whichsimilar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

This invention relates to car-couplers, and the object thereof is toprovide a safety attachment for automatic couplers which may readily beattached to almost any form of automatic coupler now in use, and whichis very simple in construction and inexpensive, and by means of whichthe couplers or drawheads cannot be drawn out and become separated andfall on the track; and with this and other objects in view, theinvention consists in the construction, combination, and arrangement ofparts hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention is fully disclosed in the following specification, ofwhich the accompanying drawings form a part, in which- Figure 1 is aperspective view of two similar draw-heads, one of which is adapted tobe connected with each of the cars to be coupled. Figs. 2, 3, at, and 5represent details of the construction. vided with an improvedcoupling-pin which I employ, and Figs. 7 and 8 represent different sideviews of said pin.

In the practice of my invention I provide the usual draw-heads A and B,which are similar in form, and each of which is provided with a shortside jaw G and a longer segmental and outwardly-curved side jaw D. Eachof the sides 0 is provided about midway of its vertical length with arecess E, in which is pivoted the usual jaw or knuckle F, having a sideextension G, which projects into said central recess E, and each of saidknuckles or jaws is provided about midway of its outer surface with alink-slot II, and formed in the jaws above and below said linkslot is avertical bore or passage h, in which the coupling-pins are adapted to beplaced. These features of construction are substantially the same asheretofore employed, and

Fig. 6 shows a draw-head pro in themselves form no part of thisinvention, which consists in the attachment connected therewith, ashereinafter described.

In the practice of my invention I employ a pin K, by means of which theknuckles F are connected with the draw-heads A, and this pin K isprovided at its upper end with a circular head 76, which is adapted toentera corresponding recess 7.7 formed in the upper surface of thedraw-head, and above the circular head 70 the pin K is provided with ashaft or extension 76*, above which is a red uced extension 75. Thelower end of the pin K is also reduced in size, as shown at h and isadapted to receive a nut or bur L, which is secured in place by means ofa pin L, which passes therethrough and through a slot in the extensionin, and the object of this nut or bur is to clearly hold the pin Kwithin the draw-head.

Mounted on the extension or shaft 762, above the circular head 70, is anarm M, provided with a hub m, on which is mounted a spring N, one end ofwhich projects into a hole in the arm M, as shown at m, and the otherend of which is connected with the circular head It, as shown at mFormed on the upper surface of the head 7.; are two lugs or shoulders11, and formed on the hub m, at the lower end thereof, is a projectionm, the object of which is to limit the movement of the hub m on theshaft or extension 76 of the pin K.

In place of the shoulder or projection m on the circular head 7c, I mayform a segmental cavity or recess in the upper surface of said head, inwhich event the projection m on the hub m, would be directed downwardly,and it is evident that other changes may be made in this constructionwithout departing from the general scope of the invention.

The object in providing a slot in the extension is, on the pin K, is toprovide for drawheads of different thicknesses, as it is well known thatthese draw-heads differ in size, and, as hereinbefore stated, myimprovement is adapted to be connected with almost any of the couplersof this class.

The arm M may be made in any desired form, but should be made veryheavy, in order to sustain the weight of the parts, if the same shouldbecome necessary, and, as will hereinafter appear, this arm may becalled upon to support the weight of a car, and said arm M is held inplace by means of a nut or bur O, mounted on. the extension k of the pinK, and said bur or nut is held in place by a pin 0, which passestherethrough and through a slot or hole 0 in said extension in. I alsoform on the lower side of the circular head 7c of the pin K small lugsor projections P, which are adapted to enter corresponding holes orrecesses in the head, the object of which is to prevent the pin. K fromturning when it has once been placed in position and secured by the nutor bur L.

The arm M projects overthe space occupied by the knuckles or pivotedjaws F, and when two draw-heads are coupled, which are of even height,if one of. said heads should become detached from its car, and start tofall onto the track, the arm M will catch upon the opposite knuckle orpivoted jaw and force the coupler to cling to the opposite one until itwas loosened in the regular way.

If two cars were coupled, the draw-heads of which were not even, or onecar should be higher than the other, the connection, of course, canstill be made; but if the arm M was attachedrigidly or was not capableof a partial revolution, it would be broken off by the knuckle of theopposite coupler; but in my invention it gives way to make room for saidopposite knuckle, but is held tight against it by the spring N, andshould one of the draw-heads pull out of its car, while it is coupled atthis uneven height, it could only drop until the arm M came to thelink-slot II of the opposite knuckle, and then the spring N will throwthe arm into this slot and prevent it from dropping any farther. It willtherefore be seen that the difference in the height of different cars orthe couplers connected therewith will make no difference in the workingof this invention.

A train of cars equipped with automatic couplers and this device arepractically locked together, and my improved device may be made sostrong that it will hold up the weight of the end of a car, and if anaxle should break the weight of the car would be sustained by theopposite coupler until the danger was discovered.

All that is necessary to attach this device to an automatic coupler isto take out the old pin, which now holds the knuckle in place, and chipout two small pieces in the coupler to make room for the projections PP, and my improved device is then inserted in place of the old pin andserves a double purpose, acting as a pin for the knuckle and a safetydevice for the whole coupler.

In Fig. 6 I have shown a draw-head provided with my improvedcoupling-pin, which may be used in connection with the form of couplerhereinbefore described, or with other forms of couplers now in use, andFigs. 7 and 8 represent the construction of this improved coupling-pin.

The draw-head shown in Fig. 6 is substantially the same as that shown inFig. 1, as are also the other portions of the device hereinbeforedescribed, including the knuckle F: but in this construction I haveshown said knuckle as provided with an inwardly-directed arm F and saiddraw-head is provided with a vertical opening F", through which myimproved coupling-pin is adapted to pass.

My improved coupling-pin A is provided with a head a in which is formeda central opening a and formed in one side of the pin is a vertical slot13 in which is mounted a pin b the upper end of which is provided withahead in which is formed a slot 12, and through said slot and throughthe opening a. in the head of the coupling-pin is passed a ring 61 Thepin b is pivoted at about the center thereof, and projects into atransverse slot C formed in the side of the pin A and mounted in saidtransverse slot is a sliding tumbler or bolt G in which is formed a slot9 through which pass two pins 9, which serve as a support for saidtumbler or bolt and to guide the same. The tumbler or bolt G4 isprovided with an upwardly-directed head or projection H in connectionwith which the lower end of the pin Z) operates, and said tumbler orbolt is also provided in its lower side and near its inner end with anotch or recess K", in connection with which a pawl L operates. The pawlL is provided with a downwardly-directed projection L". which extendsbelow an inclined shoulder L, formed by cutting out the lower end of thepin, and secured to said pin adjacent to the vertical slot 13 is aspring M which operates to project or throw out the tumbler or bolt GThe tumbler or bolt G in the operation of the device is adapted to catchbeneath a shoulder formed in the draw-head B, at B, and the operationwill be readily understood from the foregoing description when taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings. It will be understood that,in couplers of this class, two of the draw-heads B are employed. oneconnected with each car, and when the cars are run together the knucklesF are thrown inwardly and interlock, and in this operation, thecoupling-pins A having been placed in position, when the knuckles F aredriven inwardly the arms F strike the lower end of the pawl L, whichdraws inwardly the tumbler or bolt G and the arm F passing over theinclined shoulder L, raises the coupling-pin so that said arm can passbehind the same, after which the pin drops back into position, and willbe securely held therein by the tumbler or bolt G \Vhen it is necessaryto uncouple the cars, the ring D is operated so as to draw the upper endof the pin 1) outwardly, and the lower end of said pin in this movementwill draw back the tumbler or bolt G, so that the coupling-pin may beremoved from the draw-head, and it will thus be seen that my improvedcoupling-pin may always be left in position and that the operationthereof is automatic, except when it is necessary to uncouple the cars.

My invention is not limited to the exact form, construction, andarrangement of parts herein shown and described, and I therefore reservethe right to make all such alterations therein, and modificationsthereof, as fairly come within the scope of the invention.

Having fully described my invention, I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patcut- 1. The combination with the draw head of a car-coupler,having a short jaw on one side, and a long segmental jaw on the other,and a knuckle pivoted to one of the jaws, of a pin as K, by which saidpivotal connection is made, said pin being secured in said head andprovided with an extension above the head on which is mounted an arm,provided with a drum on which is mounted a spring, said arm beingadapted to extend across the space back of the knuckle and being alsoadapted to turn a part of a revolution, substantially as shown anddescribed.

2. The combination with the draw-head of a car-coupler, having a shortjaw on one side, and a long segmental jaw on the other, and a knucklepivoted to one of the jaws, of a pin as K, by which said pivotalconnection is made, said pin being secured in said head and providedwith an extension, above the head on which is mounted an arm, providedwith a drum on which is mounted a spring, said arm being adapted toextend across the space back of the knuckle and being also adapted toturn a part of a revolution said spring being connected at one end withsaid arm, and at the lower end with said pin, and said pin beingprovided with means, whereby it cannot be revolved or turned within thehead, substantially as shown and described.

In a car-coupler, the combination with a draw-head, provided with jawsas O and I), one of which is longer than the other and outwardly andinwardly curved, a knuckle pivotally connected with the short jaw, bymeans of a pin as K, said pin being provided with a head, adapted toenter a recess formed in the top of the draw-head, and with means toprevent the total revolution thereof, said pin being also provided withan upwardly-directed shaft or extension, an arm mounted on saidextension and provided with a hub, a spring mounted on said hub, one endof which is secured to said arm, and the other end of which is securedto the pin, and means whereby said arm may be turned on said shaft orextension. through a portion of a revolution, substantially as shown anddescribed.

l. "In a car-coupler, the combination with a drawhead, provided withjaws as G and D, one of which is longer than the other and outwardlyandinwardly curved, a knuckle pivotally connected with one of the jaws,by means of a pin as K, said pin being provided with a head, adapted toenter a recess formed in the top of the draw-head, and with means toprevent the revolution thereof, said pin being also provided with anupwardly-directedshaft or extension, an arm mounted on said extensionand provided with a hub, a spring mounted on said hub, one end ofwliich'is secured to said arm, and the other end of which is secured tothe pin, and means whereby said arm may be turned on said shaft orextension through a portion of a revolution, said knuckle or pivoted jawbeing provided with the usual link-slot in its outer side or edge,substantially as shown and described.

5. The combination with the draw-head of a OQJY'COHPIGI, having a shortjaw on one side and a long segmental jaw on the other, and a knucklepivoted to the short jaw, of a pin as K, by which said pivotalconnection is made, said pin being secured in said head and pro videdwith an extension, above the same, on which is mounted a spring-arm,said arm being adapted to project across the knuckle and to be partiallyrevolved, substantially as shown and described.

6. A coupling-pin provided with a head having an opening formed therein,a vertical slot formed in one side thereof, and a transverse slot nearthe middle thereof, a pin pivoted in said vertical slot, the head ofwhich projects upwardly and is provided with a slot and a ring whichpasses therethrough, and through the opening in the head of thecoupling-pin, and a sliding tumbler or bolt mounted in said transverseslot and means for operating the same, substantially as shown anddescribed.

7. A coupling-pin provided with a head having an opening formed therein,a vertical slot formed in one side thereof, and a transverse slot nearthe middle thereof, a pin pivoted in said vertical slot, the head ofwhich projects upwardly and is provided with a slot, and a ring whichpasses therethrough, and through the opening in the head of thecoupling-pin, and a sliding bolt or tumbler mounted in said transverseslot and means for operating the same consisting of a spring which isadapted to project said tumbler or bolt, said tumbler or bolt'being alsoprovided with an upwardly-directed shoulder or projection on its innerend in connection with which said pivoted pin operates, and a notch orrecess on its under side, and said couplingpin being provided with apivoted pawl, one end of which rests in said notch or recess, and theother end of which projects below an inclined shoulder formed in theside of the coupling-pin, substantially as shown, and described.

8. A coupling-pin provided with a head having an opening formed therein,a vertical slot formed in one side thereof, and a trans verse slot nearthe middle thereof, a pin pivoted in said vertical slot, the head ofwhich projects upwardly and is provided with a slot, and a ring whichpasses therethrough, and through the opening in the head of thecoupling-pin, and a sliding bolt or tumbler mounted in said transverseslot and means for operating the same consisting of a spring which isadapted to project said tumbler or bolt, said tumbler or bolt beingalsoprovided with an upwardly-directed shoulder or projection on its innerend in connection with which said pivoted pin operates, and a notch orrecess on its under side, and said couplingpin being provided with apivoted pawl one end of which rests in said notch or recess, and theother end of which projects below an inclined shoulder formed in theside of the couplingpin, said pawl and said tumbler or bolt beingadapted to be operated by an arm formed on the knuckle of the coupler,substantially as shown and described.

9. The combination with a draw-head provided with. a knuckle having aninwardlydirected arm, of a coupling-pin mounted in a vertical bore insaid head, said pin being provided with a head, having an opening formedtherein, and a vertical slot formed in one side thereof, and atransverse slot near the middle thereof, a pin pivoted in said verticalslot, the head of which projects upwardly, and is provided with a slotand a ringwhich passes therethrough, and through the head in thecoupling-pin, a sliding bolt or tumbler mounted in said transverse slot,a pawl pivoted below said bolt or tumbler and operating in connectiontherewith, and the lower end of which projects below an inclinedshoulder formed in the side of said coupling pin, and a spring adaptedto project said tumbler or bolt, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed myname, in presence of the subscribing witnesses, this 10th day ofOctober, 1895.

JOHN C. DONAHUE.

Witnesses:

JAMES P. DONAH'UE, L. M. PHILLIPS.

